Hearings at a Queensland Youth Crime committee meeting have exposed the rampant misuse of social media, which is exacerbating criminal activity across Queensland.
Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton, who introduced legislation earlier this year to tackle the scourge of criminals boasting about their crimes online has renewed his call for more action.
“What we saw come out of the evidence presented to the Youth Justice Reform Select Committee was evidence that social media is playing a role in youth crime.
“There needs to be greater clarity in our laws, a clear definition of what this criminal activity is and we need a sweeping approach across all jurisdictions to stop criminals from boasting about their crimes online,” Mr Hamilton said.
PeakCare Queensland CEO, Tom Allsop told the Committee that social media was playing a part in the youth crime issue.
Mr Allsop told the Committee, ‘Posting these behaviours online exacerbates the cycle of offending’.
Mr Hamilton said that when criminals boasted about their behaviour online, it created a sick ‘influencer’ style community that perpetuated the cycle.
“What we are seeing is a situation where criminal behaviour is being glorified, these young offenders become influencers in their circle of friends, and it exacerbates the offending cycle.
“Let’s cut the criminal recruitment pipeline and stop criminals from putting this stuff up,” Mr Hamilton said.
Unfortunately, the Federal Government has not pursued the legislation to tackle criminal content online.
